Bad times are fleeting. Government programs launched to alleviate them are forever. Among the many pernicious effects of Hurricane Katrina may be the repeal of the Posse Comitatus Act.
"I think that's one of the interesting issues that Congress needs to take a look at," says President Bush of the 1878 legislation. Speaking in similarly coded and as easily decoded language, Senator John Warner last week declared: "I believe the time has come that we reflect on the Posse Comitatus Act." Why? Who wants to deploy the Army to their town? Repealing the Posse Comitatus Act gives the federal government more power at the expense of the states--and the residents therein. As if it's not bad enough that presidents send troops to Lebanon or Somalia without Congressional approval, presidents will now be able to invade Michigan. And what effect will all this have on the armed forces? Instead of training to kill the enemy, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines will now prepare for additional, amorphous missions. Quelling riots? Policing? Hurricane relief? Drug enforcement? Anti-poverty efforts? When the government uses the military for domestic purposes, the military either ceases to act as the military or it acts as the military. Neither is a pleasing option.
Part of being a free citizen is doing what you want so long as it presents no harm. When I served in the Marines, the appropriate response to the orders of fellow Marines of a superior rank was "Yes, sir." Now that I have made the transition from part-time to full-time citizen, the appropriate response is "Get lost." There are other appropriate responses, some not printable, but all suggesting the same sentiment: I am a citizen of a free country, not a banana republic. Don't tell me what to do.
We have gone from a citizenry jealous of its liberties to a citizenry generous of its liberties. Some call this progress.
Dan, one can never reach a hand out to the government without giving up control or freedom. In my efforts to empower the disabled, this is one of the lessons I preach. As soon as you reach a hand out to the government, they find a way to tie it behind your back.
I address this on my own website in an essay called "Hand Out" for those of you that are interested.
Here we go again, giving up a freedom in the name of "our own good."
Be well,
Sponge
I had a sinking feeling something like this might happen in the aftermath of Katrina. Just as was the case with 9/11, a complete breakdown and utter failure on the part of the federal government will be used to strengthen it.
Somewhere Bush's hero, Abraham Lincoln, is smiling.
I can recall, upon receipt of an illogical order from a senior enlisted Marine, telling a certain Echo-5 Mike "f@#$ that".
The Federal Gov't sent me up the river for not following there silly orders.
